BARRE — A woman is facing a felony assault charge that alleges she slammed a nurse’s hand in a door at Central Vermont Medical Center, breaking her finger.

Kate E. Nicholson, 31, of Rochester, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Washington County criminal court to aggravated felony assault on a health care worker causing serious bodily injury. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 16 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the police affidavit, Vicki Mednick, 60, a nurse at the medical center, approached a Berlin police officer Oct. 21, asking to speak with him. Mednick told police an incident had occurred on the psychiatry floor where she was caring for Nicholson. Mednick told police she opened her door to give Nicholson her medication and that Nicholson slammed the door on her hand.

Mednick said Nicholson was not happy with the meal she was served the night of the incident and had become agitated.

Police said that when they spoke with Nicholson, she confirmed that she was not happy with her meal and had gone back to her room, asking Mednick to leave her alone. Nicholson told police Mednick followed her back to her room and that she told Mednick to stay out of her room. She told police the door was open only an inch or so and that she was shocked to hear Mednick yelling that Nicholson had just assaulted her after shutting the door.